Posted by From LUCKY NWANKWERE, Abuja on
President Umaru Yar'Adua yesterday pledged his administration's commitment to the promotion of academic excellence in its determination to assist Nigerian intellectuals to continue to break new grounds in all fields of human endeavours, particularly science and humanities.
President Umaru Yar'Adua yesterday pledged his administration's commitment to the promotion of academic excellence in its determination to assist Nigerian intellectuals to continue to break new grounds in all fields of human endeavours, particularly science and humanities.
He gave this assurance in Abuja when he conferred on four eminent Nigerians, who distinguished themselves in their various disciplines the 2007 National Merit Award, pointing out the need for the country not to be left behind in the fast moving world.
He spoke glowingly of the Nigerian National Merit Award, describing it as one of the most visible evidences of the country's continued commitment to the promotion of academic and intellectual excellence and assuring that his government would do everything possible to support it.
While congratulating the awardees, namely, Professor Idris Mohammed (Medicine), Professor Tolu Odugbami (Medicine), Professor Jacob Olupona (Humanities) and Professor Cornelius Orangun (Engineering) for using their God-given talent to serve and honour their country, he urged them not to relent in their efforts to break new grounds.
Yesterday's investiture brings to a total of 54 the number of Nigerian scholars so far honoured with the national merit award.
Responding on behalf of his fellow awardees, Prof. Idris Mohammed expressed their appreciation for the honour bestowed on them and pledged to contribute their own quota to the socio-economic, scientific and technical development of the country.
Noting that the country is plagued by so many ills, including poverty, environmental degradation, poor education, little access to affordable healthcare, high maternal and child mortality, poor immunization coverage, he contended that, 'we could not make much progress except government decides to do things differently."